Kitap 36
2
This idea having been firmly fixed in the minds of all, The Romans were careful to have a fair pretext for war. they looked out for a suitable opportunity and a decent pretext to justify them in the eyes of the world. For indeed the Romans were quite rightly very careful on this point. For instance, the general impression that they were justified in entering upon the war with Demetrius enhances the value of their victories, and diminishes the risks incurred by their defeats; but if the pretext for doing so is lame and poor the contrary effects are produced. 32, 20. Accordingly, as they differed as to the sentiments of the outer world on the subject, they were very nearly abandoning the war. . .
